Skip to content

Posts tagged ‘Quotes’

Dec 2

11 Comments

More Than a Glance

“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.” – Thomas Merton

On Friday, I went to the mall to buy some new clothes for upcoming meetings. Like many activities, my intention was to get in and out quickly without delay, without notice, to get it over with.

Head down, thinking about what’s next, I placed the clothes on the counter. Slide check card, sign, transaction done, receipt in the bag, ready to say a quick thank you and go, go, go. But this time I stopped, looked up directly in the clerk’s eyes, smiled and said a sincere thank you. Moving the moment from a mundane transaction to undivided attention and acknowledgement. A simple yet profound reminder to be in the moment completely. Instead of passing by or around, we can choose to pass through aware and engaged, giving more than a glance.

We are called to go deeper in and reach further out.

“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.” – Thomas Merton

Nov 27

Happy New Year Today

“All experiences of life seems to prove that the impediments thrown in the way of the human advancement may for the most part be overcome by steady good conduct, honest zeal, activity, perseverance and above all, by a determined resolution to surmount.” – Samuel Smiles

“I wish I had an answer to that because I'm tired of answering that question.” – Yogi Berra

“I wish I had an answer to that because I’m tired of answering that question.” – Yogi Berra

As we approach the end of the year, we put together our list of “resolutions,” many are repeats of last year and the year before. We call them resolutions, but unless we have a plan and take steps every day to achieve them, they are merely wishes. Wishes are magic. Resolutions are work. The true reward is found in hard work and discipline, earning your victories.

Don’t delay the journey to your aspirations. Start now, a step at a time and on New Year’s Eve, you’ll have something concrete to celebrate.

“Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.” – Saint Augustine

Nov 25

6 Comments

The Now Thing

“I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present. God has given me no control over the moment following.” – Mahatma Gandhi

The first thoughts of the day set the direction for the rest of the day. This morning, my thoughts were rapidly going through upcoming meetings, deadlines and all of the Christmas “to dos”. Often, we focus on the “next thing” instead of experiencing the “now thing.”

So as this week begins anew, ask two questions. “What will this day bring?” More importantly, “What will I bring to this day?”

Nov 22

2 Comments

Thanks and Giving

“Thank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough.” - Garrison Keillor

“Thank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough.” – Garrison Keillor

“Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.” – Ralph Marston

Thanks and Giving – Can’t think of two better ways to live life out loud, well beyond a long holiday weekend. Awaken to and take in the gifts that are in front of you at this very moment. Discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. Happy Thanks and Giving, every day, every single day.

“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.” – e. e. cummings

Nov 20

3 Comments

Surfs Up

“Life is all about timing… the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable… attainable. Have the patience, wait it out. It’s all about timing.” – Stacey Charter

“It's the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance, sweeps away all obstacles.” - Claude M. Bristol

“It’s the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance, sweeps away all obstacles.” – Claude M. Bristol

Going against the waves, waiting for the right one to roll in, the surfer patiently waits for the right wave to stand for the victory of riding the wave, if but only for a moment. And when the moment is complete, turning back into the waves to start all over again.

Resilience, timing, patience, opportunity, stand, fall, get back up, learn, grow, repeat. Surfs Up – time to ride the waves of your life.

Nov 17

2 Comments

Make Waves

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” – Anais Nin

“The world is full of poetry. The air is living with its spirit; and the waves dance to the music of its melodies, and sparkle in its brightness.” – James Gates Percival

“The world is full of poetry. The air is living with its spirit; and the waves dance to the music of its melodies, and sparkle in its brightness.” – James Gates Percival

Change your perspective, change your life. Expand your linear view, seeking depth and dimension. Slow down to witness and fully participate in your life, appreciating those on the journey with you.

The undercurrents of murmuring and indifference are strong. Set your resolve like the rhythm of the waves, steady and consistent. Ebb and flow with ease and gratitude. Graduate from your mind to your spirit, accepting grace that is present in each moment.

Roll with, ride on and make waves.

Nov 15

4 Comments

Between Sunsets

“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton

“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton

“Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal.” – Elbert Hubbard

Carefully choose how you spend the hours between each sunset. When you have chosen the path made for you, carelessly give yourself to the journey.

“Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” – Marian Wright Edelman

Nov 13

4 Comments

Lost and Found Smile

“Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.” – Paramahansa Yogananda

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.” - Dr. Seuss

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss

THE Sole Sisters rode again for our annual “run a half marathon by the ocean” vacation. This year’s mini-escape – Malibu, California. The subtitle could be the “find your lost smile” excursion. Mission accomplished. Vacation breaks our daily patterns, whacking us in the head to wake up and enjoy this short life. The trick is to carry the vacation calm forward. It’s not about a permanent escape, but living each non-vacation day with that same joy and enthusiasm.

Carve out time each day, week, month to stay fresh and engaged, despite the odds. Laugh about silly things until your stomach hurts, taking yourself much less seriously. Eat food that looks like art with a sunset as your backdrop. Smile from your heart and soul, giving your mind a rest. See the good in all, even when not evident or rational. Go deeper, walk lighter.

Slow down and listen to your internal GPS, which like our GPS in our rental car told us several times to “recalculate.” Take the long cut and enjoy the journey, living to your fullest potential, giving your best. Smile like you mean it.

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” – Mother Teresa

Nov 7

6 Comments

Know the Difference

“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” - Abraham Lincoln

“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” – Abraham Lincoln

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” – Reinhold Niebuhr

What can we effectively affect? What can be impacted by our effort and energy? What we can do to make a difference? a real one – not the busy work of worry, anxiety and distress. True discernment. Clarity.

“The supreme end of education is expert discernment in all things – the power to tell the good from the bad, the genuine from the counterfeit, and to prefer the good and the genuine to the bad and the counterfeit.” – Charles Grosvenor Osgood

Nov 4

9 Comments

Succumb to Optimism

“There are only two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.” – Albert Einstein

GIVE in to your aspirations and dreams, achieve them through your actions. Hope without discipline is hollow.

GIVE up following the pack mentality of cynicism. Start and end with yourself and what you can do. The only real control that you have is over yourself.

GIVE out the best of yourself without measure or conditions. It’s counterintuitive to the common view, but it will change your corner of the world.

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »